More than 200,000 Massachusetts households – the vast majority elderly or the working poor – depend on fuel assistance help each winter.

The state provided $21 million to supplement federal fuel assistance funds in 2012, but it has indicated it could be weeks before any supplemental relief funding is considered this year, and federal aid could be cut through sequestration.

“It’s vital that the state move to allocate additional funds so that thousands of individuals, families and seniors can heat their homes during the remaining winter weeks,” said Joe Diamond, executive director of Massachusetts Association for Community Action. “We can’t afford to wait. This is a frightening time for many families, who are being forced to make the near impossible choice between paying for food, rent or heat.”

Federal studies have shown that people who rely on oil heat will spend 17 percent more for heat this winter because last winter was so mild.